Frequently asked questions

If you have additional questions that have not been answered, reach out to us anytime [email protected]. Thank you for your continued interest and support of Court Grabbers® products!

**** FOR LONGEST LIFE, KEEP THE TRACTION PADS CLEAN**** See below for instructions

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT YOUR COURT GRABBERS

Are they legal for play?Court Grabbers have been reviewed and deemed “Permitted for Play” by the NCAA, in November of 2013 and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) in April of 2012. Most AAU programs follow NFHS regulations. We are working on getting clearance with FIBA. Compliance letters can be printed from our compliance page.​Do they work on all shoes?Court Grabbers will work on all shoes with exposed laces. Shoes with straps at the ankle level should be fine. You can adjust how Court Grabbers sit on your shoe by moving them up the laces. Court Grabbers will not work on shoes with mid-instep straps. Straps that are near the top of the shoe should work fine.Court Grabbers work best on shoes with normal, flat soles, found on most court shoes.

Won't my shoes get dirty?This is a common misperception people have when they first see our equipment. Your shoes should not get dirty. The Traction Pads sit slightly above your laces. You wipe the sole of your shoe across the top of the Traction Pad, NOT your shoe. It's pretty easy to get the hang of wiping across the Traction Pad.

What’s in a kit?Base Strip- This is a clear piece of durable plastic that you attach to your shoe with the laces. You do this one time and the Base Strip stays in place permanently. The Traction Pad slides onto the Base Strip and locks in place.Traction Pad- This is a plastic piece that encases a piece of cloth that allows you to clean your shoes anytime on the court. The Traction Pad slides onto the Base Strip and locks in place. To remove the Traction Pad for cleaning, you simply pinch the tabs on each side and slide the entire Traction Pad off the Base Strip.Traction Gel- This is the “magic” that delivers the best traction on the world! Just a small amount of Traction Gel on the Traction Pad will remove all the dirt and dust off your shoe and provide you with incredible traction.

What are the dimensions and how much do they weigh?• Court Grabbers are 2.25 inches in length.• At the widest point, they are 1.25 inches and taper to .25 inch at the narrow end.• The complete unit is very thin. They sit a mere 1/8th of an inch above your laces.• Court Grabbers are feather light. 2 Base Strips/Traction Pad units weigh a total of ½ an ounce.

How long do they last?Court Grabbers are made from very durable materials and should last an entire season. We have players who report their Grabbers are still going strong after 1 year of use. The Base Strips are made from a very strong polycarbonate and the Traction Pads are molded from HDPE. Like anything, lifetime varies with severity of use, but you can beat them up pretty good.

Traction Pads/Base Strips​How do I clean the Traction Pads?Simply pinch the two tabs in the opening on each side of the Traction Pad and slide the entire Traction Pad off of the Base Strip. It is not uncommon for the tabs to seem “stiff” the first few times you remove the Traction Pad, they will loosen with each removal. Once removed, you can toss them in the washer and dryer with your practice/game gear. We recommend using a small laundry pouch to make it easier to locate them among your cloths.

How often should I clean the Traction Pads?We recommend cleaning Traction Pads whenever you clean your practice/game gear. Consistent care will keep your Court Grabbers clean and extend the life indefinitely. If you can see dirt and dust on the Traction Pad, it’s time to clean them!

How do I use them on multiple pairs of shoes?You don’t need to buy a new kit for each pair of shoes. You can buy a set of Base Strips for each pair and easily use the same set of Traction Pads or buy a different color of Traction Pads for each pair. You can also mix and match colors on each shoe.

How long do the Traction Pads last?Depending upon how much use and abuse they receive, your Traction Pads should last from 3-6 months. They are made from durable plastics and one of the most durable cloths on Earth. The most important thing you can do to make them last and perform properly is to wash them at least every 2-3 uses and certainly before any game or important match. Just wash them with your dark colors and dry in the dryer as well. Fortunately, they are inexpensive to replace, so you can have extra sets on hand so you never slip up on the court.

When should I replace them?When you see the cloth of the Traction Pad has a hole in it, or the tabs become loose, either of which may happen after many months of continued use, it’s time of a new set of Traction Pads.Base Strips should last a very long time. Replace if the rails that hold the Traction Pad or the securing bands on the underside break or crack. Do not use cracked or broken parts. Keep the grooves of the rails clean and free from any dirt.​Traction GelWhat’s in the Gel?Court Grabber Traction Gel is made up of 86% natural ingredients, stuff we eat and drink daily. 13% is alcohol, in 1/5th the concentration found in common hand sanitizer. The remaining 1% is comprised of a bittering agent, a gelifier, and common food coloring. Court Grabber Traction Gel has no harmful effect on the user, clothing, pets or your shoes and has been certified safe for courts by a 3rd party lab. You can view the certificate here.

How much Traction Gel should I use?The key is “less is best”. More Traction Gel does not mean more traction. Allow no more than 3 light lines, top to bottom, to drip onto the Traction Pad. This should provide traction for at least 30 minutes of heavy use. You’ll need to experiment to find the best result for your use. The Traction Pad should never be “wet” just slightly moist.

How long does the gel last?Each user is different. If you use your Court Grabbers everyday, you can expect each ounce of Traction Gel to last 2-3 weeks. (4-6 weeks with the 2oz bottle with the kit) Since you do not need much gel for the system to work, you may find you use even less. A 2 ounce bottle plus a 4 oz bottle should last you at least an entire season of practices and games.

Will the Gel stain my cloths or shoes?No. Traction gel will wash out of clothes. If you spill it in your gym bag, just throw it and all contents in the wash. We have not seen any effect on shoes as well. There is no known effect on any court surface. Traction gel has a nice scent, so if you do spill it in your gym bag, your stuff will smell good on those long drives home.